Lawn mower maintenance is pretty basic. At the beginning of every cutting season there are definitely four things you absolutely must do: replace the spark plug, replace the air filter, change the oil, and either replace or sharpen the blade.

Nothing creates an unhealthy lawn as much as a dull blade. Shreds the grass, allows disease to get in there. You don’t want to do that. So every month you want to check that.

Every time you mow – no matter what – when you are finished, allow the lawnmower to cool down completely, disconnect the spark plug, check the air filter make sure it is clean. If you have to get a new one, do so.

But then you also want to check the underside of the deck. Clean it with a garden hose, spray it down very well because – believe it or not – particularly if you have a mulching blade like this, having the underside of that deck filthy can use up to 20% more fuel. And with today’s gasoline prices, every penny counts.

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